Calling all Ohio voters: Election day is approaching!

It is almost that time of year again. On November 4th, Americans will once again be at the polls or mailing in their votes.

Although this election season can’t top the intensity of last year’s presidential election, it is always important to check out where to make your voice heard. This year, Ohio will only have county or city general elections.

What is on the ballot will depend on the county and city, and what issues or which candidates they have in the running. This could include school board or tax levies, the election of mayor or city officials, and the election of officials running for county positions (prosecuting attorney, commissioner, treasurer, sheriff,  judge, etc.).

To find what will be on a county’s ballot, voters can find a sample ballot by visiting the Ohio Secretary of State website and going to the voter toolkit, which has a lot of other additional resources. 

For any Ohio voters who are unable to vote in person at their designated district polling places, absentee ballots can still be requested up until the week before November 4th.

Absentee voters can either print out the ballot application or request it to be mailed to them by their county’s board of elections. Once they have this form, voters simply have to fill out some personal information and then mail it to their county’s board of elections. Eventually, the ballot will be sent to the voter’s Ohio Wesleyan address, which they will then send back once finished filling it out.

On the other hand, anyone planning to vote in person must do so in their designated voting district. 

Even though these county/city elections in Ohio may not seem the most significant this year, it is always important to be politically active.

Looking ahead to the next election season in 2026, Ohio will be voting on a new governor and lieutenant governor on November 3rd, 2026, as well as electing a new federal senator to fill the place left by Vice President J.D. Vance. Additionally, voters from the fifteen House districts will elect fifteen total candidates for the House of Representatives.

The primary election for this run is May 5th, 2026. That being said, Ohio’s election will look much different next year as Ohio searches for a new governor, senator, and representatives. 

For any Ohio Wesleyan students who are not from Ohio, specific state information about how to vote and what is on the ballot can be found online.